Town Green (Maple Grove) and Veterans Memorial Amphitheater in Wolfe Park (St. Louis Park) will again host free concerts featuring many of the area's finest musicians performing an evening of songs by Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient and Minnesota native Bob Dylan.

This marks the 6th year in a row that Salute to the Music of Bob Dylan (formerly Blood on the Tracks Live) has performed at the St. Louis Park venue and the 4th annual event in Maple Grove. Every year these shows draw thousands of attendees.

This conglomeration of talent boasts nearly 1,000 years of combined experience and 100,000+ performances.

Making a special appearance will be world renowned violinist Scarlet Rivera. Scarlet burst on the scene when Dylan hired her to record and tour with him during the epic “Desire”, “Hard Rain”, Rolling Thunder Revue and Renaldo & Clara period. Since those heady days she has continued to perform and record solo and with a long line of “A-list” artists around the planet.

Scarlet worked with Salute to the Music of Bob Dylan last May at a benefit to restore The Historic Duluth Armory and made such an impression that inviting her to the Twin Cities events was inevitable.

The August 6th concert takes place at Town Green, 7991 Main Street N., Maple Grove, MN. On August 9th the show moves to Veterans Memorial Amphitheater in Wolfe Park, 3700 Monterey Dr., St. Louis Park, MN. Music begins at 6:30 and concludes around 9:30

As usual, both events serve as benefits to raise support and awareness of Guitars for Vets, a national organization dedicated to serving those who've served their country but face challenges due to PTSD. Any/all cash donations will go directly to Guitars for Vets. Those who have an old guitar sitting around may donate them as well. Contributions of any kind are completely voluntary and extremely appreciated by the organization and its students.

A brief set of original material by Chrome Horse Diplomats precedes the Dylan Salute.

In mid-May the Northland was treated to a very special concert, assembled primarily by "Magic Marc" Percansky, Billy Hallquist and Nelson French. To say that it was a stellar, and memorable, evening of music is understatement.

A featured star of the evening was Dylan-violinist Scarlet Rivera, and if you thought she was great the past few years, well with a full army of talent and sound behind her, she rocked the universe. (Please excuse my hyperbole. I will use more when I write about the movie Chef this weekend. I've been known to get emotional at times and can get carried away.)

All this to say that the Duluth concert was a gift from a group of musicians who have been doing these Salute concerts for quite a few years. Obviously they love playing together, but the concerts are always for good causes. In Duluth, they came to help raise funds and awareness for renovating the Duluth Armory. In the Twin Cities, they have been producing free concerts for Guitars for Vets, a non-profit organization committed to helping restore meaning, purpose and joy for wounded veterans.

The concert was so rich that it only seemed natural to want my blog readers in the Twin Cities to be aware of it, because in August Salute to the Music of Bob Dylan will once again be accompanied by violinist Scarlet Rivera.

The two concerts will be at Town Green (Maple Grove) and Veterans Memorial Amphitheater in Wolfe Park (St. Louis Park) with both concerts featuring being free. This marks the 6th year in a row that Salute to the Music of Bob Dylan (formerly Blood on the Tracks Live) has performed at the St. Louis Park venue and the 4th annual event in Maple Grove. Every year these shows draw thousands of attendees.

According to their announcement, "This conglomeration of talent boasts nearly 1,000 years of combined experience and 100,000+ performances." According to my experience I can only tell you these folks are tight, and the love to share the music that so inspires them. .

Making a special appearance will be world-renowned violinist Scarlet Rivera. Scarlet burst on the scene when Dylan hired her to record and tour with him during the epic “Desire”, “Hard Rain”, Rolling Thunder Revue and Renaldo & Clara period. Since those heady days she has continued to perform and record solo and with a long line of “A-list” artists around the planet.

The August 6th concert takes place at Town Green, 7991 Main Street N., Maple Grove, MN. On August 9 th the show moves to Veterans Memorial Amphitheater in Wolfe Park, 3700 Monterey Dr., St. Louis Park, MN. Music begins at 6:30 and concludes around 9:30

As usual, both events serve as benefits to raise support and awareness of Guitars for Vets, a national organization dedicated to serving those who've served their country but face challenges due to PTSD. Any/all cash donations will go directly to Guitars for Vets. Those who have an old guitar sitting around may donate them as well. Contributions of any kind are completely voluntary and extremely appreciated by the organization and its students. A brief set of original material by Chrome Horse Diplomats precedes the Dylan Salute.

For what it's worth, if you're a Dylan fan, the only thing better than this is seeing Dylan himself. Tonight and tomorrow he's in Norway after finishing sets in Germany, Poland and Denmark this past week. And according to reviews he's better than ever. He's 73 and still acting like he plans to remain forever young. I'm certainly operating on that gameplan.

Ennyman is a Life Under Construction. Writer, artist, philosopher, friend... visit www.enewman.biz to put your mind at e's.

Musicians perform a Bob Dylan song. The Salute to the Music of Bob Dylan returns to Maple Grove and St. Louis Park this year. (Submitted photo)

With five years of Bob Dylan tributes at St. Louis Park’s Veterans Memorial Amphitheater complete, another crowd is set to gather for the annual concert – and that’s just on the stage.

About 20 musicians are booked to perform at the Salute to the Music of Bob Dylan concert 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at the amphitheater in Wolfe Park, 3700 Monterey Drive. The concert comes shortly after another Dylan tribute show 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6, at the Town Green in Maple Grove.

The annual event began its life as Blood on the Tracks Live and featured musicians who performed with Dylan on his “Blood on the Tracks” album. The show is no longer a reunion of those musicians, per se, but has become an opportunity for Minnesota musicians like Patty Peterson and Dan Israel to celebrate the songs of one of Minnesota’s most famous native sons.

California-based violinist Scarlet Rivera is set to join this year. She contributed to Dylan’s “Desire” and “Hard Rain” albums.

The shows have a history of drawing a crowd in the audience as well, including on a cool, damp day at last year’s St. Louis Park performance.

“We even drew last year even though it was about 9 degrees,” joked Billy Hallquist, who has taken over organizing the tribute concerts. “It was raining right up until it started. It was a large, enthusiastic crowd. Very few left because of the cold. They were still rocking when we were ready to quit.”

The event has become popular enough that Hallquist said he has to turn away musicians who want to participate.

“It’s an established event, so I actually have requests from people every year who want to join the fold who I can’t honor because I already have enough bodies to fill the stage and more,” Hallquist said.

The music sustains its fan base because Dylan became an iconic figure back in the ‘60s who still tours endlessly, Hallquist said.

“There are people my age who grew up and became fascinated with him and the music,” Hallquist said. “If he wasn’t such a prolific and extremely talented songwriter he would have faded, but he maintains that edge.”

When Dylan performs, he sometimes adds a twist to one of his classic songs. The Salute to the Music of Bob Dylan this year also will provide a few unusual versions of his tunes, like a reggae version of “Blowin’ in the Wind” and a blues version of “Don’t Think Twice.”

“We kind of take the stuff and we breathe a little bit of new life in it,” Hallquist said.

The musicians at the tribute will also play some songs in styles similar to the original versions.

All of the Twin Cities tribute shows have benefited Guitars for Vets, which provides guitars and lessons as a type of therapy for veterans.

Hallquist met Rivera at another tribute show, a Duluth concert at Sacred Heart Music Center that benefitted the restoration of an historic armory. She is set to play a handful of songs at the Twin Cities tributes, including “Hurricane.” At the Duluth concert, Hallquist noted that he and Rivera spontaneously played songs they had not rehearsed previously.

Hallquist is among several Minnesota musicians who are also scheduled to play with her at the Dakota Jazz Club in Minneapolis 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10. She will play some original songs as well as some Dylan covers.

Hallquist said her planned appearance at the tribute shows has energized the other musicians.

“The addition of Scarlet really takes it to another level,” he said. “Everybody’s just chomping at the bit and rarin’ to go.”

Rivera declined to discuss her original chance meeting with Dylan in New York but said she appreciates playing Dylan’s tunes in Minnesota.

“I like playing with the great musicians. Minnesota is filled with great musicians,” Rivera said. “Any time I can be involved in a salute with Bob Dylan it’s a given that I would want to do it, especially in Minneapolis.”

Dylan introduced her to many of her friends in Minnesota, she added.

“Of course, I owe pretty much my career to Bob Dylan,” she said.

As for the tribute show, she said, “I can’t comment on something I didn’t do yet.”

However, she briefly discussed her thoughts on her association with Dylan.

“It was the most extraordinary part of my life and my career,” Rivera said. “It’s the springboard to everything I’ve done.”

When asked about Dylan’s music, she said, “Genius, in a word. There is no other lyricist that has the depth of lyrics that he has that has appeared in this century or into the 21st century. He’s the inspiration to all the other ones. No matter how good they are, they’re not Bob Dylan.”

It's over. And the truth is plain to see. This was the best year ever. The addition of Scarlet Rivera lifted an already high flying assemblage of musicians to even loftier heights. Some of the best musical moments of all time emanated from the stages of Town Green, Veterans Memorial Amphitheater and The Dakota. Scarlet inspired and compelled accomplished musicians to travel far beyond their comfort zones to discover talents even they were not aware they possessed. A pleasure to behold. The rock solid backbone of the group Stan Kipper, Chico Perez and Ralph Dacut were nothing short of phenomenal. Gary Lopac provides some of the most solid, yet melodic bass lines you will ever hear. He sings as well, or better than anyone anywhere. And he is the owner of The Amazing Technicolor DreamShirt. Compliments go out to the tremendously talented keyboard team of Matt Fink and Jim Steinworth. Twenty fingers. No waiting. More sounds between them than The New York Philharmonic, The Boston Pops, a New Orleans jazz band, a marching band, a Dixieland group and an accordion orchestra combined. Ain't nobody plays guitar better than Lonnie Knight. Might be one or two out there that can hold their own. Not one better. As for our guests. Patty Peterson is a commanding presence. May she stay Forever Young. Barbara Meyer personifies the joy music can bring. James Loney is, hands down, one of the area's elite, spurred to excellence by the harmonious background provided by Colleen O and Edie Rae (aka The Ghostettes). Hats off to Arne Fogel for his brilliance and dedication to music past/present/future. Barry Thomas Goldberg's unique and powerful presence is a trip and a half. Dan Israel always brings something unique our way. This year, it was harp master Suave Steve Carr and Jubilant Jeff Victor who iced Isis. Steve Grossman, the human dynamo, exuded energy as always. Gene LaFond's connection with Scarlet, Larry Keegan and those Dylan Days is truly special. Kool Kenny Krona came to town and took it to the limit. Marc Lamoine was at the right place and time as always. We'd be lost if not for "Magic" Marc Percansky. Thanks to the many volunteers who helped the cause. Neil Schloner, Sam Bisbee and Don Olson for capturing the images of a most unique moment in time. George Vondriska for portraying the heart behind Guitars For Vets. Nelson French and John Bushey made it all the way from Duluth on behalf of The Historic Duluth Armory. Deb Coss, Lisa Abernathy, the stage crew and everyone who attended, tuned in. Thank YOU!! Until next time